Boeing, SPEEA resume contract negotiations

Talks come as Boeing faces increased scrutiny over its 787

Negotiators for the Boeing Co. and the union representing 22,950 engineers and technical workers will resume contract talks Wednesday afternoon.

The talks take place as Boeing faces more scrutiny of its Dreamliner after another 787 made an emergency landing in Japan. The 787 already is under review by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in light of recent incidents including fuel leaks, electrical problems and a battery fire.

SPEEA leaders were unimpressed by the revised contract proposal Boeing presented Friday. The union's executive director said that a SPEEA strike is now "highly likely." SPEEA has been holding strike picket captain training sessions in Everett and Tukwila to prepare members.

However, upon receiving the electronic version of Boeing's offer Monday, SPEEA leaders didn't immediately send the proposal to members for a vote and ask for their approval to call a strike. With a complete offer in hand, SPEEA could do so at any time.

The union has encouraged members to participate in demonstrations today as leaders return to negotiations at 1 p.m.

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